Thermochromatic element and thermochromatic display device

ABSTRACT

A thermochromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an insulation layer and a first heating element. The insulation layer is received in the sealed enclosure, that divides the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first heating element is configured to heat the first chamber. The first heating element includes a carbon nanotube film including a number of carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups. Each carbon nanotube linear unit includes a number of first carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction, and are spaced from each other and substantially extending along the first direction. The carbon nanotube groups are combined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotube groups between adjacent carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a thermochromatic element and athermochromatic display device using the same.

2. Discussion of Related Art

E-paper is a display technology without back light. E-paper can replacea traditional paper and can be used in advertisement, newspaper, books,and so on. Therefore, E-paper has a wide application for foregroundpurposes and a great commercial value.

At present, E-paper technology is mainly based on electrophoresis,wherein electric particles are used. The movement of the electricparticles allows different images to be formed in the display. However,e-paper is restricted to black and white images and cannot show colorimages.

What is needed, therefore, is to provide a thermochromatic element and athermochromatic display device that can overcome the above-describedshortcomings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of one embodiment of athermochromatic element.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the thermochromatic elementused in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the thermochromatic element.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a carbon nanotube film including a numberof carbon nanotube groups arranged as an array.

FIG. 5 is an optical microscope image of the carbon nanotube film shownin FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a carbon nanotube film including a numberof carbon nanotube groups interlacedly arranged.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a carbon nanotube film including a numberof carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a same direction.

FIG. 8 is an optical microscope image of the carbon nanotube film shownin FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a thermochromaticelement.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a thermochromaticelement.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a thermochromaticdisplay device including a first electrode sheet and a second electrodesheet.

FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan view of the first electrode sheet usedin the thermochromatic element in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic top plan view of the second electrode sheet usedin the thermochromatic element in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements. It should be noted that referencesto “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily tothe same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a thermochromatic element100 is provided. The thermochromatic element 100 includes a sealedenclosure 102, an isolation layer 104, a first heating element 106, asecond heating element 108, and a colorful material layer 110. Thethermochromatic element 100 further includes at least two firstelectrodes 114 and at least two second electrodes 116. The isolationlayer 104 is located in the sealed enclosure 102 and divides the sealedenclosure 102 into two separate chambers, namely a first chamber 120 anda second chamber 122. The first heating element 106 is configured toheat the first chamber 120, and the second heating element 108 isconfigured to heat the second chamber 122. The at least two firstelectrodes 114 are electrically connected with the first heating element106. The at least two second electrodes 116 are electrically connectedwith the second heating element 108. The first heating element 106 andthe second heating element 108 asynchronously produce heat, and thecolorful material layer 110 moves between the first heating element 106and the second heating element 108 in response to the heat produced bythe first heating element 106 and the second heating element 108.

A shape of the sealed enclosure 102 can be cube or cylinder. In oneembodiment according to FIG. 2, the sealed enclosure 102 of thethermochromatic element 100 has a cube structure. The sealed enclosure102 includes an upper sheet 1022 used as a display surface, a lowersheet 1024, and four side sheets 1026. The four side sheets 1026 arelocated between the upper sheet 1022 and the lower sheet 1024 to formthe cubic sealed enclosure 102. The upper sheet 1022 is insulated andtransparent. A material of the upper sheet 1022 can be glass ortransparent polymer. The transparent polymer includes polyethyleneterephthalate, polyimide, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene,polychloroprene, and PVC. The lower sheet 1024 and the side sheets 1026are made of insulated materials, such as ceramic, resin, or plastic. Theupper sheet 1022 and the lower sheet 1024 can also be in arc shapes.When both the upper sheet 1022 and the lower sheet 1024 are transparent,the thermochromatic element 100 can be a dual display element.

The isolation layer 104 is configured to separate the first chamber 120from the second chamber 122. Gas can flow through the isolation layer104 from the first chamber 120 to the second chamber 122. The isolationlayer 104 is an opaque layer. Particularly, the isolation layer 104 canhave a light color or white color. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2,the isolation layer 104 is a film structure and suspended in the sealedenclosure 102. The encircling ridge of the isolation layer 104 can befixed on the side sheets 1026 with adhesive or some mechanical means.The ridge of the isolation layer 104 can also be embedded in the sidesheets 1026. According to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, theisolation layer 104 is square and parallel with the upper sheet 1022 andthe lower sheet 1024. The isolation layer 104 is fixed on the sidesheets 1026 with adhesive. The isolation layer 104 includes a pluralityof micropores to make sure that gas can flow through the isolation layer104 from the first chamber 120 to the second chamber 122. The isolationlayer 104 can be a semi-permeable membrane, such as a cell wall film, abladder film, or parchment. The isolation layer 104 can be a poroussubstrate with other materials deposited in the pores, such as unglazedceramic with copper hexacyanoferrate. A thickness of the isolation layer104 can be in a range from about 1 micrometer to about 1 millimeter. Inone embodiment, the isolation layer 104 is parchment with a thickness of100 micrometers.

Referring to FIG. 3, the isolation layer 104 includes a plurality ofspacers 1042 in the sealed enclosure 102. Each of the spacers 1042 has ashape with two peaked ends, such as oval or hexahedron shape. Thesespacers 1042 are located side by side in the enclosure 102. The two peakends of each spacer 1042 separately contact the upper sheet 1022 and thelower sheet 1024. The middle portions of these spacers 1042 contact witheach other, such that only gas can pass through the isolation layer 104.The ends of these spacers 1042 keep distances from each other, such thatthe first chamber 120 is defined by the upper sheet 1022, the isolationlayer 104 and upper portions of the four side sheets 1026. The secondchamber 122 is defined by the lower sheet 1024, the isolation layer 104,and lower portions of the four side sheets 1026. A material of thespacers 1042 can be ceramic, plastic, or silicon dioxide.

The size and the shape of the first chamber 120 and the second chamber122 can be same or different. The size and the shape are determined bythe distance between the upper sheet 1022 and the isolation layer 104and the distance between the four side sheets 1026. In one embodiment,shown in FIG. 2, the first chamber 120 and the second chamber 122 havethe same dimensions.

The colorful material layer 110 is solid or liquid and will become gaswhen it reaches its gasification temperature. Particularly, a materialof the colorful material layer 110 is solid and sublimates easily, suchas iodine, or naphthalin. A material of the colorful material layer 110can also be a colored liquid, such as bromine. When the colorfulmaterial layer 110 is heated to a temperature higher than itsgasification temperature, it will become gas and can flow between thefirst chamber 120 to the second chamber 122. When the colorful materiallayer 110 is located in the first chamber 120, color of the colorfulmaterial layer 110 is visible through the upper sheet 1022. When thecolorful material layer 110 is located in the second chamber 122,because the isolation layer 104 is an opaque layer, color of thecolorful material layer 110 is not visible.

The first heating element 106 is located on a surface of the upper sheet1022. The upper sheet 1022 includes a first upper surface and a firstlower surface opposite the first upper surface. The first lower surfaceis located in the first chamber 120. The first heating element 106 canbe located on the first upper surface or the first lower surface of theupper sheet 1022. The first heating element 106 should be transparentand can be a carbon nanotube sheet-shaped structure. The second heatingelement 108 is located on a surface of the lower sheet 1024. The lowersheet 1024 includes a second upper surface and a second lower surfaceopposite the second upper surface. The second upper surface is locatedin the second chamber 122. The second heating element 108 can be locatedin the second upper surface or the second lower surface. The secondheating element 108 can be a metal film, an ITO film or a carbonnanotube structure including carbon nanotubes arranged in an orderly ordisorderly manner. In the present embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3,the first heating element 106 is located on the first upper surface ofthe upper sheet 1022, and the second heating element 108 is located onthe second lower surface of the lower sheet 1024.

The carbon nanotube sheet-shaped structure includes a number of carbonnanotubes. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube structure consists ofthe carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube structure is a free standingstructure. “Free-standing structure” means that the carbon nanotube filmdoes not have to be supported by a substrate and can sustain the weightof itself when it is hoisted by a portion thereof, without tearing. Thecarbon nanotube structure includes at least one carbon nanotube film.The structure of the carbon nanotube film can be the carbon nanotubefilms 1060, 1070, shown in FIGS. 4-7.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the carbon nanotube film 1060 includes anumber of carbon nanotube linear units 1062 and a number of carbonnanotube groups 1064. The carbon nanotube linear units 1062 are spacedfrom each other. The carbon nanotube groups 1064 join with the carbonnanotube linear units 1062 by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotubegroups 1064 located between adjacent carbon nanotube linear units 1062are spaced from each other.

Each carbon nanotube linear unit 1062 includes a number of first carbonnanotubes extending substantially along a first direction X. Adjacentfirst carbon nanotubes extending substantially along the first directionX are joined end to end by van der Waals attractive force. In oneembodiment, an axis of each carbon nanotube linear unit 1062 issubstantially parallel to the axes of first carbon nanotubes in eachcarbon nanotube linear unit 1062. The carbon nanotube linear units 1062substantially extend along the first direction X, and are separated fromeach other in a second direction Y which crosses with the firstdirection X.

An intersection shape of each carbon nanotube linear unit 1062 can be asemi-circular, circular, elliptic, an oblate spheroid, or other shape.In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube linear units 1062 aresubstantially parallel to each other. Distances between adjacent carbonnanotube linear units 1062 are substantially equal. The carbon nanotubelinear units 1062 are substantially coplanar. An effective diameter ofeach carbon nanotube linear unit 1062 is larger than or equal to 0.1micrometers, and less than or equal to 100 micrometers. In oneembodiment, the effective diameter of each carbon nanotube linear unit1062 is equal to or larger than 5 micrometers, and not more than 50micrometers. A distance between adjacent two carbon nanotube linearunits 1062 is not limited and can be selected as desired. In oneembodiment, the distance between adjacent two carbon nanotube linearunits 1062 is greater than 0.1 millimeters. Diameters of the carbonnanotube linear units 1062 can be selected as desired. In oneembodiment, the diameters of the carbon nanotube linear units 1062 aresubstantially equal.

The carbon nanotube groups 1064 are separated from each other and arecombined with adjacent carbon nanotube linear units 1062 by van derWaals force in the second direction Y, so that the carbon nanotube film1060 is a free-standing structure. The carbon nanotube groups 1064 arealternated with the carbon nanotube linear units 1062 in the seconddirection Y. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube groups 1064 arrangedin the second direction Y are separated from each other by the carbonnanotube linear units 1062. The carbon nanotube groups 1064 arranged inthe second direction Y can connect with the carbon nanotube linear units1062.

The carbon nanotube group 1064 includes a number of second carbonnanotubes joined by van der Waals force. Axes of the second carbonnanotubes can be substantially parallel to the first direction X or tothe carbon nanotube linear units 1062. The axes of the second carbonnanotubes can also be crossed with the first direction X or with thecarbon nanotube linear units 1062 such that the second carbon nanotubesin each carbon nanotube group 1064 are intercrossed into a networkstructure.

The axes of second carbon nanotubes and the first direction X define anumber of first angles. Each first angle can be greater than or equal to0 degrees, and less than or equal to 90 degrees. In one embodiment, thefirst angle is greater than or equal to 45 degrees, and less than orequal to 90 degrees. In another embodiment, the first angle is greaterthan or equal to 60 degrees, and less than or equal to 90 degrees.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, the carbon nanotube groups 1064can be interlacedly located in the second direction Y and arranged in adisorderly fashion in the second direction Y. As such, the carbonnanotube groups 1064 in the second direction Y form non-linearconductive paths. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, the carbonnanotube groups 1064 are arranged into a number of columns in the seconddirection Y, thus the carbon nanotube groups 1064 form consecutive andlinear conductive paths in the second direction. In one embodiment, thecarbon nanotube groups 1064 in the carbon nanotube film are arranged inan array. A length of each carbon nanotube group 1064 in the seconddirection Y is substantially equal to the distance between adjacentcarbon nanotube linear units 1062. The length of each carbon nanotubegroup 1064 in the second direction Y is greater than 0.1 millimeters.The carbon nanotube groups 1064 are also spaced from each other alongthe first direction X. Spaces between adjacent carbon nanotube groups1064 in the first direction X are greater than or equal to 1 millimeter.

Therefore, the carbon nanotube film includes a number of carbonnanotubes. The carbon nanotubes can be formed into carbon nanotubelinear units 1062 and carbon nanotube groups 1064. In one embodiment,the carbon nanotube film consists of the carbon nanotubes. The carbonnanotube film defines a number of apertures. Specifically, the aperturesare mainly defined by the separate carbon nanotube linear units 1062 andthe spaced carbon nanotube groups 1064. The arrangement of the aperturesis similar to the arrangement of the carbon nanotube groups 1064. In thecarbon nanotube film, if the carbon nanotube linear units 1062 and thecarbon nanotube groups 1064 are orderly arranged, the apertures are alsoorderly arranged. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube linear units1062 and the carbon nanotube groups 1064 are substantially arranged inan array, thus the apertures are also arranged in an array.

A ratio between a summation area of the carbon nanotube linear units1062 and the carbon nanotube groups 1064 and a summation area of theapertures is less than or equal to 1:19. In other words, in the carbonnanotube film 1060, a ratio of the area of the carbon nanotubes to thearea of the apertures is less than or equal to 1:19. In one embodiment,in the carbon nanotube film 1060, the ratio of the summation area of thecarbon nanotube linear units 1062 and the carbon nanotube groups 1064 tothe summation area of the apertures is less than or equal to 1:49.Therefore, a transparence of the carbon nanotube film 1060 is greaterthan or equal to 95%. In one embodiment, the transparence of the carbonnanotube film 1060 is greater than or equal to 98%.

The carbon nanotube film 1060 is an anisotropic conductive film. Thecarbon nanotube linear units 1062 form first conductive paths along thefirst direction, as the carbon nanotube linear units 1062 extend alongthe first direction X. The carbon nanotube groups 1064 combined with thecarbon nanotube linear units on the second direction form secondconductive paths along the second direction Y. The second conductivepaths can be curved, as the carbon nanotube groups are interlacedlyarranged. The second conductive paths can be linear, as the carbonnanotube groups are arranged as a number of columns and rows. Therefore,a resistance of the carbon nanotube film 1060 in the first direction Xis different from a resistance of the carbon nanotube film 1060 in thesecond direction Y. The resistance of the carbon nanotube film 1060 inthe second direction Y is 10 times greater than the resistance of thecarbon nanotube film 1060 in the first direction X. In one embodiment,the resistance of the carbon nanotube film 1060 in the second directionY is 20 times greater than the resistance of the carbon nanotube film1060 in the first direction X. In one embodiment, the resistance of thecarbon nanotube film 1060 in the second direction Y is about 50 timesgreater than the resistance of the carbon nanotube film 1060 in thefirst direction X. In the carbon nanotube film 1060, the carbon nanotubelinear units 1062 are joined by the carbon nanotube groups 1064 in thesecond direction Y, which makes the carbon nanotube film 1060 strong andstable, and not broken easily.

There can be a small number of carbon nanotubes surrounding the carbonnanotube linear units and the carbon nanotube groups in the carbonnanotube film. However, these few carbon nanotubes have a small andnegligible effect on the carbon nanotube film properties.

The carbon nanotube film 1060 can be made by the following steps:providing an original carbon nanotube film including a number of carbonnanotubes substantially extending along a first direction and joined endto end by van der Waals force; forming a patterned carbon nanotube filmby patterning the original carbon nanotube film to define at least onerow of through holes arranged in the original carbon nanotube film alongthe first direction, each row of the through holes including at leasttwo spaced though holes; and treating the patterned carbon nanotube filmwith a solvent such that the patterned carbon nanotube film is shrunkinto the carbon nanotube film. The solvent can be an organic solventwith a high volatility, such as alcohol, methanol, acetone,dichloroethane, or chloroform.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the carbon nanotube film 1070 includes anumber of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube film 1070 includes thecarbon nanotube linear units 1062 and a number of second carbon nanotubegroups 1074. Each carbon nanotube group 1074 includes a number of secondcarbon nanotubes extending along a direction which defines a secondangle with the first direction X. The second angle can be greater thanor equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 45 degrees. In oneembodiment, the second angle is greater than or equal to 0 degrees andless than or equal to 30 degrees. In another embodiment, the carbonnanotubes in each carbon nanotube group 1074 are substantially parallelto the first direction X and to the axes of the carbon nanotube linearunits 1062. As such, the carbon nanotubes of the carbon nanotube film1070 substantially extend along a same direction.

In addition, in the carbon nanotube film 1070, there are still a fewcarbon nanotubes surrounding the carbon nanotube linear units 1062 andthe carbon nanotube groups 1074, owing to the limitations of a methodfor making the carbon nanotube structure.

The method for making the carbon nanotube film 1070 is similar to themethod for making the carbon nanotube film 1060. The difference is thatthe solvent used for treating the patterned carbon nanotube film has aweak interfacial tension. The solvent can be water, or a mixture ofwater and organic solvent.

The carbon nanotube sheet-shaped structure can include a number of thecarbon nanotube films. The carbon nanotube films can be stacked witheach other or arranged side by side. The carbon nanotube linear units ineach two adjacent carbon nanotube films can define an angle ranged fromabout 0 degrees to about 90 degrees.

The carbon nanotube sheet-shaped structure as the first heating element106 has the following advantages. The carbon nanotube sheet-shapedstructure mainly includes the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes arenot easily oxidized, and are electrically conductive, and chemically andmechanically stable, even if the carbon nanotubes are moist. As such,the first heating element 106 will also keep a low resistance, achemical and mechanical stability, even if the first heating element 106is moist. Therefore, the life span of the first heating element 106 islong. Because the carbon nanotubes have a low density, the first heatingelement 106 is light itself, and the weight of the thermochromaticelement 100 is light. The carbon nanotube sheet-shaped structure isflexible and can be arbitrarily folded without being broken, thus thethermochromatic element 100 can be a flexible structure. As the heatcapacity of the carbon nanotube layer structure is low, the temperatureof the first heating element 106 using the carbon nanotube sheet-shapedstructure can rise and fall quickly, and has a high response heatingspeed. Thus, the thermochromatic element 100 also has a quick response,a high heating efficiency, and accuracy. In addition, the transparenceof the carbon nanotube film is greater than or equal to 95%, possiblyeven greater than 98%, the first heating element 106 using the carbonnanotube film is transparent, so the thermochromatic element 100 hashigh, non-frosted, clarity of definition. The clarity of definition ofthe thermochromatic display device using the thermochromatic element 10is also high.

The at least two first electrodes 114 are used to electrically connectthe first heating element 106 with the external circuit, which createsJoule heating in the first heating element 106. The at least two firstelectrodes 114 can be fixed on the surface of the first heating element106 by conductive adhesive (not shown). The at least two firstelectrodes 114 are made of conductive material. The shapes of the atleast two first electrodes 114 are not limited and can belamellar-shaped, rod-shaped, wire-shaped, or block-shaped. The crosssectional shape of the two first electrodes 114 can be round, square,trapezium, triangular, or polygonal. The thickness of the two firstelectrodes 114 can be any size, depending on the design, and can beabout 1 micrometer to about 1 centimeter. In the present embodiment asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the two first electrodes 114 both have a linearshape, and are located on the surface of the first heating element 106.The two first electrodes 114 are substantially parallel with each other.The two first electrodes 114 are electrically connected with the carbonnanotube linear units 1062 of the carbon nanotube film and located ontwo opposite ends of the carbon nanotube linear units 1062. Further, thetwo first electrodes 114 can be electrically connected with the externalcircuit via two electrodes wires (not shown). The at least two firstelectrodes 114 can be a number of first electrodes 114 located on twoopposite sides of the first heating element 106.

The at least two second electrodes 116 electrically connect the secondheating element 108 with the external circuit, which makes the secondheating element 108 also experience Joule heating. The at least twosecond electrodes 116 can be fixed on the surface of the second heatingelement 108 by conductive adhesive (not shown). The material and theshape of the second electrodes 116 can be the same as the firstelectrodes 114. The relationship between the second electrodes 116 andthe second heating element 108 can be the same as the relationshipbetween the first electrodes 114 and the first heating element 106.Further, the two first electrodes 114 can be electrically connected withthe external circuit via two electrodes wires (not shown).

In use of the thermochromatic element 100, if the colorful materiallayer 110 is located in the first chamber 120, the upper sheet 1022 istransparent, and color of the colorful material layer 110 will bevisible through the upper sheet 1022. If a voltage is applied to the twofirst electrodes 114, the first heating element 106 heats the colorfulmaterial layer 110 until it becomes gas. In the gaseous colorfulmaterial layer 110 will then migrate into the second chamber 122.Because temperature in the second chamber 122 is low, the colorfulmaterial layer 110 will return to a solid or liquid state. And then, thecolor of the colorful material layer 110 will disappear. This stage isshown in FIG. 2. If a voltage is applied to the two second electrodes116 and the voltage applied to the two first electrodes 114 is turnedoff, the second heating element 108 heats the second chamber 122, andthe colorful material layer 110 becomes gaseous again. The gaseouscolorful material layer 110 passes through the isolation layer 104 tothe first chamber 120. As such, the thermochromatic element 100 can showthe color again through the upper sheet 1022. Because the colorfulmaterial layer 110 is colorful, the thermochromatic material element 100can show many colors.

Referring to FIG. 9, one embodiment of a thermochromatic element 200 isprovided. The thermochromatic element 200 includes a sealed enclosure202, an isolation layer 204, a first heating element 206, a secondheating element 208, a colorful material layer 210, a first chamber 220and a second chamber 222. The thermochromatic element 200 furtherincludes at least two first electrodes 214 and at least two secondelectrodes 216. The sealed enclosure 202 includes an upper sheet 2022, alower sheet 2024 and four side sheets 2026. The upper sheet 2022includes a first upper surface (not labeled) and a second lower surface(not labeled). The lower sheet 2024 includes a second upper surface (notlabeled) and a second lower surface (not labeled).

The first heating element 206 is located on the first lower surface ofthe upper sheet 2022. The second heating element 208 is located on thesecond upper surface of the lower sheet 2024. The first heating element206 can immediately contact with the colorful material layer 210. Thesecond heating element 208 can immediately contact with the absorbinglayer 212. Each of the first electrodes 214 includes a first extendportion 2142 extending to the out of the sealed enclosure 202. Each ofthe second electrodes 216 includes a second extending portion 2162extending to the out of the sealed enclosure 202. The first extendingportion 2142 can make the first heating element 206 electrically connectwith the external circuit easily. The second extending portion 2162enables the second heating element 208 electrically connect with theexternal circuit easily.

Other characteristics of the thermochromatic element 200 are similar tothe thermochromatic element 100 disclosed above.

Referring to FIG. 10, one embodiment of a thermochromatic element 300.The thermochromatic element 300 includes a sealed enclosure 302, anisolation layer 304, a first heating element 306, a second heatingelement 308, a colorful material layer 310, a first chamber 320 and asecond chamber 322. The sealed enclosure 302 includes an upper sheet3022, a lower sheet 3024, two first side sheets 3026 and two second sidesheets (not shown). The two first side sheets 3026 are opposite to eachother. The two second side sheets are opposite to each other. The twosecond side sheets are made of insulated material.

Each of the two first side sheets 3026 includes a first conductiveportion 3026 a, a second conductive portion 3026 b and an insulatedlayer 3026 c. The insulated layer 3026 c is located between the firstconductive portion 3026 a and the second conductive portion 3026 b. Thefirst conductive portion 3026 a and the second conductive portion 3026 bare insulated from each other via the insulated layer 3026 c. The firstconductive portion 3026 a is electrically connected with the firstheating element 306. The second conductive portion 3026 b iselectrically connected with the second heating element 308. In oneembodiment according to FIG. 8, each of the first conductive portions3026 a is located on a surface of the first heating element 306, each ofthe second conductive portions 3026 b is located on a surface of thesecond heating element 308. The first conductive portion 3026 a is usedas an electrode of the thermochromatic element 300 and make the firstheating element 306 electrically connected with external circuit. Thesecond conductive portion 3026 b is used as an electrode of thethermochromatic element 300 and make the second heating element 308electrically connected with external circuit.

Other characteristics of the thermochromatic element 300 are similar tothe thermochromatic element 200 disclosed above.

Referring to FIG. 11, one embodiment of a thermochromatic display device40 is provided. The thermochromatic display device 40 includes a firstelectrode sheet 42, a second electrode sheet 44, and a plurality ofthermochromatic elements 100 located between the first electrode sheet42 and the second electrode 44. The structure of the thermochromaticelement 100 has been discussed above.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first electrode sheet 42 is a transparentsheet and includes a first surface 420. The first electrode sheet 42includes a plurality of first row electrodes 422 and a plurality offirst line electrodes 424. The plurality of first row electrodes 422 andthe plurality of first line electrodes 424 are located on the firstsurface 420. The plurality of first row electrodes 422 and the pluralityof first line electrodes 424 are insulated from each other. Theplurality of first row electrodes 422 and the plurality of first lineelectrodes 424 are crossed with each other to form a electrode cellincluding a plurality of first electrode cells 426.

Referring to FIG. 13, the second electrode sheet 44 includes a secondsurface 440, a plurality of second row electrodes 442, a plurality ofsecond line electrodes 444 and a plurality of second electrode cells446. The structure of the second electrode sheet 44 is the same as thefirst electrode sheet 42. The second electrode sheet 44 can betransparent or opaque. When the second electrode sheet 44 istransparent, the thermochromatic display device 40 is a dual displaydevice.

The first surface 420 of the first electrode sheet 42 faces the secondsurface 440 of the second electrode sheet 44. The first electrode cells426 and the second electrode cells 446 are arranged oppositely with eachother in a one-to-one manner. Each first electrode cell 426 and eachsecond electrode cell 446 opposite with each other from a display unit.Each display unit includes one thermochromatic element 100. Referringalso to FIG. 2, the upper sheet 1022 of each thermochromatic element 100is located on the first surface 420 and in one first electrode cell 426,the lower sheet 1024 is located on the second surface 440 and in onesecond electrode cell 446 opposite the first electrode cell 426. The twofirst electrodes 114 of the thermochromatic element 100 are separatelyelectrically connected with the first row electrode 422 and the firstline electrode 424 forming the electrode cell 426 in which thethermochromatic element 100 located. The two second electrodes 116 ofthe thermochromatic element 100 are separately electrically connectedwith the second row electrode 442 and the second line electrode 444forming the electrode cell 446 in which the thermochromatic element 100located.

The thermochromatic display device 40 further includes at least onesupporter (not shown) located between the first electrode sheet 42 andthe second electrode sheet 44. The at least one supporter maintains adistance between the first electrode sheet 42 and the second electrodesheet 44. The at least one supporter can prevent the thermochromaticelement 100 from being pressed by the first electrode sheet 42 and thesecond electrode 44.

The thermochromatic display device 40 can control each thermochromaticelement 100 via the first electrode sheet 42 and the second electrodesheet 44 to show color or wipe color. By controlling differentthermochromatic element 100, the thermochromatic display device 40 canshow different information or menu.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiment is intendedto illustrate rather than limit the disclosure. Variations may be madeto the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the disclosure asclaimed. The above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate thescope of the disclosure and not to restrict the scope of the disclosure.

It is also to be understood that the above description and the claimsdrawn to a method may include some indication in reference to certainsteps. However, the indication used is only to be viewed foridentification purposes and not as a suggestion as to an order for thesteps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermochromatic element, comprising: a sealed enclosure comprising an upper transparent sheet; an isolation layer received in the sealed enclosure, that divides the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber; and the first chamber defined between the upper transparent sheet and the isolation layer; a first heating element configured to heat the first chamber; a second heating element configured to heat the second chamber; and a colorful material layer located in the first chamber or the second chamber, wherein the colorful material layer is movable between the first chamber and the second chamber in a gaseous state through the isolation layer, wherein the first heating element comprises a carbon nanotube film comprising: a plurality of carbon nanotube linear units spaced from each other and substantially extending along a first direction, and each of the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units comprising a plurality of first carbon nanotubes that are substantially oriented along the first direction; and a plurality of carbon nanotube groups combined with the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force, and wherein the plurality of carbon nanotube groups between adjacent two of the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction.
 2. The thermochromatic element of claim 1, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units are substantially parallel to each other and form a plurality of first conductive paths along the first direction.
 3. The thermochromatic element of claim 1, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotube groups are interlacedly arranged along a second direction, that intersects with the first direction.
 4. The thermochromatic element of claim 1, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotube groups are arranged to form a plurality of columns.
 5. The thermochromatic element of claim 1, wherein each carbon nanotube linear unit comprises a plurality of first carbon nanotubes joined end-to-end by van der Waals force along the first direction.
 6. The thermochromatic element of claim 1, wherein each carbon nanotube group comprises a plurality of second carbon nanotubes substantially extending along the first direction.
 7. The thermochromatic element of claim 1, wherein each carbon nanotube group comprises a plurality of second carbon nanotubes intercrossed with each other to form a net structure.
 8. The thermochromatic element of claim 1, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotube groups are alternated with the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units along a second direction, that intersects with the first direction.
 9. The thermochromatic element of claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotube film defines a plurality of apertures.
 10. The thermochromatic element of claim 9, wherein a ratio of a sum surface area of the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units and the plurality of carbon nanotube groups to a sum surface area of the plurality of apertures is less than or equal to 1:19.
 11. The thermochromatic element of claim 10, wherein the ratio of the sum surface area of the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units and the plurality of carbon nanotube groups to the sum surface area of the plurality of apertures is less than or equal to 1:49.
 12. The thermochromatic element of claim 1, wherein the sealed enclosure is formed by the upper transparent sheet, a lower sheet opposite to the upper transparent sheet, and four side sheets connected with the upper transparent sheet and the lower sheet.
 13. The thermochromatic element of claim 12, wherein the four side sheets consists of two first side sheets face each other and two second side sheets face each other; each of the two first side sheets comprises a first conductive portion electrically connected with the first heating element, a second conductive portion electrically connected with the second heating element, and an insulated layer located between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion; and the two second side sheets are made of insulated material.
 14. The thermochromatic element of claim 12, wherein the isolation layer is fixed by the four side sheets, the first chamber is defined by the upper transparent sheet and the isolation layer, and the second chamber is defined by the isolation layer and the lower sheet.
 15. The thermochromatic element of claim 1, further comprising two first electrodes and two second electrodes; wherein the two first electrodes are spaced from each other and electrically connected with the first heating element, and the two second electrodes are spaced from each other and electrically connected with the second heating element.
 16. A thermochromatic display device, comprising: a first electrode sheet comprising a plurality of first row electrodes and a plurality of first line electrodes, the plurality of first row electrodes crossed with the plurality of first line electrodes to form a plurality of first electrode cells; a second electrode sheet facing the first electrode sheet and comprising a plurality of second row electrodes and a plurality of second line electrodes, the plurality of second row electrodes crossed with the plurality of second line electrodes to form a plurality of second electrode cells, the plurality of second electrode cells corresponding to the plurality of first electrode cells in a one-by-one manner to form a plurality of display cells; and a plurality of thermochromatic elements located in the plurality of display cells in a one-by-one manner and located between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet; each of the plurality of thermochromatic elements comprising: a sealed enclosure comprising an upper transparent sheet; an isolation layer received in the sealed enclosure, that divides the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber defined between the upper transparent sheet and the isolation layer; a first heating element configured to heat the first chamber, the first heating element comprising a carbon nanotube film comprising: a plurality of carbon nanotube linear units spaced from each other and substantially extending along a first direction, each of the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units comprising a plurality of first carbon nanotubes that are substantially oriented along the first direction; and a plurality of carbon nanotube groups combined with the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotube groups between adjacent two of the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction; a second heating element configured to heat the second chamber; and a colorful material layer located in the first chamber or the second chamber, wherein the colorful material layer is movable between the first chamber and the second chamber in a gaseous state through the isolation layer, wherein in each of the plurality of thermochromatic elements, the first heating element is electrically connected with the one of the plurality of first row electrodes and one of the plurality of first line electrodes; and the second heating element is electrically connected with the one of the plurality of second row electrodes and one of the plurality of second line electrodes.
 17. The thermochromatic display device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units are substantially parallel to each other, and the plurality of carbon nanotube groups are arranged to form a plurality of columns.
 18. The thermochromatic display device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotube groups are alternated with the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units along a second direction intersected with the first direction.
 19. The thermochromatic display device of claim 16, wherein the carbon nanotube film defines a plurality of apertures.
 20. The thermochromatic display device of claim 19, wherein a ratio of a sum surface area of the plurality of carbon nanotube linear units and the plurality of carbon nanotube groups to a sum surface area of the plurality of apertures is less than or equal to 1:19. 